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SUVs Honda CR-V Honda CR-V Rear Differential Problem?
398 messages, Last post on Dec 01, 2009 at 10:22 AM
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We own a 2006 CRV with 63,000 miles on it. We will have owned it for four years in November. We are the original owners and I have serious doubts of ever purchasing a Honda automobile ever again. As many, I have read, are experiencing, I began to notice a sort of bumping and slight tremor while turning a sharper left or right. I took the car to our local mechanic. He informed me that it was a rear differential issue to which I asked what is a rear differential. He walked me through it all and told me to get into Honda because it was also leaking, needed to be addressed soon and that this may be under warranty. He further stated that this did not just happen overnight either, that the seal deterioration was going on for some time. I made the appointment for the following morning. Our local dealership looked at it and told me yes, it was the rear differential and it was leaking. (Which they stated they were surprised with because "they never see this happen"). They further stated that to replace the two axle seals and change out the differential fluid would cost $578. I asked them about warranty coverage and after some poking and prodding they said they would call corporate but that I was out of warranty and the fluid is a maintenance issue. I told them I had never even heard of rear differential prior to the day before and always refer to my Honda Service History booklet when scheduling mileage or year maintenance, and if I was supposed to get the fluid changed out I certainly would have. The local dealer tried their best to pin this all on the fact that I do not use them for my regular maintenance which is complete garbage. Last I checked this is America and I can take my car where ever I get good service. For me, that is my local Goodyear around the corner from our house. As it turns out they didn't have the parts anyway and I would have to come back. Meanwhile I was to expect a call when they heard back from Honda Corporate. They did call later that day and informed me that out of the kindness of their heart, Corporate was only going to charge me for half the price of the seals which would total $71. They also stated that because the fluid is a maintenance issue I would be charged the full $158 for that. I told them to get the parts and scheduled an appointment for today. I also told them that we had done some research and found Honda Corp. is aware of the issue (bulletins) and that many owners are having the same problem. Further - I told her my Honda Service History booklet does not recommend replacing the rear differential fluid until 90,000 miles or five years. Boy did she try and argue that - with no leg to stand on. Her favorite excuse was that "in your manual it states that in extreme driving conditions (Florida) the rear differential fluid should be checked every 20,000 miles". Well guess what - no where in my manual does it read that. It was something she found and printed from online. So long story short we got taken. Taken by our local dealership, taken by Honda Corporate. I'm a sole-proprietor and I lost three days worth of work just to get taken. Total bill $253.45. Total hassle - more than Honda has. Won't be buying a Honda again.
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Replying to: blueiedgod (Oct 13, 2009 8:45 am) Since the rear differential fluid needs changing regularly I'd say this should be highlighted in the owner's manual. I've only had the car serviced at dealers, and no one mentioned this. The owner has to know where to look and what to look for to find it in the manual. Granted, the car was just coming up on 30K and hadn't begun making any noise until a week previous to bringing it in. And at first the noise is hardly noticeable. Some owners have asked about tires. My Goodrich OEs were ok at first but at 20K were so noisy my missus avoided the car and didn't want to hear that they had a year's worth of tread left. (According to Tire Rack this is par for the course with this tire.) So I switched to Goodyear ComforTreads, and it's like a different car -- much quiter on the highway, much less bangy on bumps. |
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Replying to: ecranos (Oct 20, 2009 1:33 pm) 1) Your car is still in warranty at 63,000 miles, since 2006 came with 5 year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty. Differential is part of the power train. Because Honda has settled a law suit and agreed to 5% odomter error, 63,000 is exactly within the warranty limitation. 2) The OWNER's MANUAL lists 2 schedules, Normal and Severe. lPage 185lists the definition of Severe Service, and FL would be under it for the heat. Page 188 indeed tells you to check all the fluid levels and condition at 20,000 miles, or every year. And absolutely recommends replacing the fluid at 60,000 mile intervals. Just because you did not know, or Goodyear did not know the vehicle had a rear differential (how do you suppose the power gets to the rear wheels from the engine upfront???) does not mean it should not be serviced. Besides, I HIGHLY doubt that Goodyear would go out of their way and buy Dual Pump Fluid from Honda to put in there. Maybe it is a godsend that they are clueless and did not know about the rear differential. Any other fluid would have destroyed it, and you would have been stuck with a $3000 repair tab. While, I agree that this is America, and you are free to take your vehicle anywhere to be serviced. You should also mind that you are driving a Honda, not a GM/Ford/Toyota....product. Honda uses unique components and designs that a chain like Goodyear would have knowledge about. Best is to go to an independant garage specializing in Hondas. Or service it your self. The TSB's are avaialbe for anyone, who wants to, to view. |
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Meant to ask a Q in my previous post -- Does anyone use BG oil additive? The dealer I bought the car from recommends this additive, saying since the car isn't used every day, it could be helpful at start up, especially in the winter. The dealer closest to me said Honda doesn't recommend any additive, winter or not, used daily or not. I'm impressed with someone who stands to make a buck, but will tell the customer a product might not hurt but isn't needed. Any other .02?
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Replying to: saabgirl (Oct 21, 2009 2:48 pm) Does anyone use BG oil additive? The dealer I bought the car from recommends this additive, saying since the car isn't used every day, it could be helpful at start up, especially in the winter. The dealer closest to me said Honda doesn't recommend any additive, winter or not, used daily or not. I'm impressed with someone who stands to make a buck, but will tell the customer a product might not hurt but isn't needed. Any other .02? The seocnd dealer is right. the OWNERs MANUAL specifically states not to use additives. Bring the OWNER's MANUAL to the first dealer, and make them eat it. |
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Replying to: motoguy128 (Aug 18, 2009 12:58 pm) |
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I previously left a post on the TSB for the rear differential problem. Here is a link to the bulletin itself which describes the procedure that must be followed before changing the fluid. http://www.in.honda.com/Rjanisis/pubs/SB/A07-024.PDF
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What I do now is every time I take my 07 in for service I tell them about the noise I hear when turning. They change the differential fluid free. Wonder if Honda has done anything with this problem on 2010. If you think you should change differential fluid every 20;K get a different make. As far as road noise, I put a set of Michelin latitude tour on the 07 (WOW what a difference) I have a subaru 2009 forester with 35000K have not changed fluid yet. I take my subaru in every 4000 miles or so to take advantage of the 3 year 36000 free scheduled maintenance I negotiated when purchasing the vehicle. For me the choice is the forrester..The only drawback is the price they charge for maintenance.. My free is running out!!!
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Replying to: tkay2 (Oct 30, 2009 4:00 am) I believe the scheduled differential fluid interval for 2007 an dup CR-V is 15,000 miles. Even if the poster has to change it every 20,000 miles, he/she is getting more out of the fluid than intended. Honda's Real-Time AWD is different from Subaru's, and comparing the fluid intervals on the Subaru (which is just a differential, not an AWD integral part) with CR-V, is like complaining that apples taste like oranges, when they are indeed oranges. It would be more benefitial to the owners of the respective vehicles to understand what each system is, how it works, and what the differences are before making categorical statements and comparing the two. Just my 2 cents.
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